Spyware
My computer keeps freezing up. What should I do?
There are a LOT of things that can cause your computer to freeze up. Here are some things that could help it. If you don't know what I am talking about, call a friend that is good with computers, or a computer technician, to come over and get this stuff done for you.
1) Switch to Windows Safe Mode and run ScanDisk and Defrag. This could take a while.
2) Install all the latest updates for Windows and Internet Explorer at http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com.
3) Run a full-system anti-virus scan. Norton, McAfee, TrendMicro PC-Cillin, Kaspersky are all good. If you want to use a free program, we recommend Grisoft's AVG Anti-Virus.
4) Run a full-system anti-spyware scan. We recommend SpySweeper, which has a free, fully functional trial, or you can read our article, "What's the best spyware removal program?" for more options and info.
5) Are there lots of little icons in the bar on the lower right hand side of your screen? That means there are a bunch of programs running in the background of your computer that could be eating up your memory. Go to Start > Run and type "msconfig" in the box, and click OK. Click on the Startup tab and uncheck any stuff you don't really use. Be careful, though, because some of those programs are required for Windows to run. Look up any programs you are unsure of on Google before you uncheck them.
6) Do you have a firewall? If you don't, you need to get one ASAP. If you have a broadband connection, a sluggish computer could be a sign that your PC has been taken over by hackers to send spam! Prevent this with a good firewall, such as ZoneAlarm Pro.
If your computer is still freezing up after you've done all of that... well, maybe you need some more memory or upgrades. At this point, call an expert and have them take a look and see what they can recommend. Hope this helps!
We recommend that you install an anti-spyware program and run it to remove spyware that may be causing your computer to crash.
You should also run a virus check to make sure a virus isn't the problem. If you do not have anti-virus software, you can download a free anti-virus program called AVG Anti-Virus.
Last update: 2005-06-24 14:04
Author: Jordana
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